I got the chance to speak with Jaime Harrison, the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The last time we spoke, Jaime Harrison was running for a senate seat in South Carolina. After his loss, he was handpicked by President Joe Biden to run the DNC. I was curious about what Jaime's plan is for the organization and what Democrats need to focus on right now.
1. The last time we spoke, you were running for a senate seat in South Carolina against Lindsey Graham. You shattered fundraising records in the state but lost. What did you learn from that?
I learned that we have a real need for lasting progressive infrastructure and sustained engagement with communities. We might not have won that race, but we laid the groundwork for future races and left something for the South Carolina Democratic Party and other groups to build on. It took Georgia over ten years to flip from red to blue and I believe that with continued efforts, that South Carolina can do the same.
2. As the head of the DNC, do you feel like you can do more in this position than if you had won your senate race and become a senator?
I’m honored to have this opportunity, both jobs can do good in different ways, one of the things that’s great about our nation is that there are so many ways to give back.
3. What are the major things that you want to do in your new role as Chairman of the DNC and what do Democrats need to focus on right now? Also, how will you do things differently than your predecessor, Tom Perez?
Chair Perez laid a strong foundation, we’ll build on that to focus on grassroots organizing and building up state parties. I plan on building on the 50-state strategy championed by another great DNC Chair, Dr. Howard Dean, and we will compete in every zip code in every election.
4. You are still at the beginning of your career - what would you like to accomplish by the end?
My two boys are six and one, and I’m in this fight because I want to make this nation and the world safe for them and full of opportunities when they grow up. My greatest accomplishment would be to leave my state and my country better than I found it and to make the American dream accessible to all Americans.
5. I am not old enough to vote yet but how can I get involved in helping democracy now?
I love this question! You’re never too young to participate and get involved. You can join your local school’s Young Democrats chapter, and volunteer for local candidates. So often, it’s local elected officials who have the most direct impact on your community, and yet candidates for local offices like city council, mayor, or state legislator often don’t have enough volunteers — so find out who is running locally and sign up to be a part of their campaign. You’ll be a part of something bigger than yourself, and that’s an amazing feeling.
6. You talk a lot about your love of superheroes. Who is your favorite superhero and why?
It has shifted over the years. As a kid I wanted to be Lion-O or He-Man, and in the comics I loved the Vision and SpiderMan. These days, as an adult, my favorite superhero is probably Iron Man, he’s so flawed but brilliant — and that suit just keeps getting cooler in every movie.
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